Why Did It Have to Be Me?
| "Why Did It Have to Be Me?" | |
|---|---|
| Song by ABBA | |
| from the album Arrival | |
| Released | 11 October 1976 (1976年10月11日) |
| Genre | Rock and roll [1] |
| Length | 3:20 |
| Label | Polar |
| Songwriter(s) | |
| Producer(s) |
|
| Audio | |
| "Why Did It Have To Be Me?" on YouTube | |
"Why Did It Have to Be Me?" is a song by the Swedish pop band ABBA. The song was released on the 1976 album Arrival. "Why Did It Have to Be Me?" has been called a "Fats Domino flavoured" song,[3] and has been noted for its mix of blues, jazz, pop and rock stylings.[4]
A live version of the song appears on the album Live at Wembley Arena .
Background
[edit ]"Why Did It Have To Be Me" was the final song to be completed for Arrival. Originally, the song "Happy Hawaii", a song featuring lead vocals by Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, was written for the album; however, this was discarded. A more country-styled track was then attempted, but it too was discarded. The song was then re-written and rerecorded, becoming "Why Did It Have To Be Me?", as a duet between Björn Ulvaeus and Anni-Frid Lyngstad.[3] [5] "Happy Hawaii" was later released as the B-side to the hit single "Knowing Me, Knowing You" released in 1977 and as a bonus track on selected versions of the Arrival album.[6] [7]
Reception
[edit ]Pitchfork described the song as "Björn’s barroom boogie about a sap who loses his heart, all but one lap-steel and two fingers of whisky short of vintage Hank Williams" and notes the use of a male voice in the album, as it is the only song on the album featuring Ulvaeus on lead vocals.[8] Similarly, Sputnikmusic notes the song as being "for the guys" and praises it as an example of the "professional songwriting" on the album.
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again version
[edit ]Lily James, Josh Dylan and Hugh Skinner recorded a cover of "Why Did It Have to Be Me?" for the soundtrack of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again . The version was released on 13 July 2018 alongside the rest of the soundtrack, by Capitol and Polydor Records. The song was produced by Benny Andersson.
Charts
[edit ]| Chart (2018) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Ireland (IRMA)[9] | 41 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[10] | 15 |
| Scotland (OCC)[11] | 35 |
| Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[12] | 15 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[13] | 44 |
Certifications
[edit ]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[14] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
[edit ]- ^ "ABBA: Live at Wembley Arena". PopMatters.com. October 21, 2014.
- ^ "ASCAP Repertory entry for this song". ASCAP. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
- ^ a b "In Focus: Arrival - the making of a classic pop album". Abbasite.com. 6 September 2016. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
- ^ Starostin, George. "Abba Reviews". Starling.rinet.ru.
- ^ "Liner notes, part 1". Carlmagnuspalm.com.
- ^ "ABBA - Knowing Me, Knowing You". Discogs.com. 1977.
- ^ "Arrival liner notes". Carlmagnuspalm.com. 5 April 2010. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
- ^ "ABBA: Arrival Album Review - Pitchfork". Pitchfork.com.
- ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 30, 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
- ^ "Sverigetopplistan – Sveriges Officiella Topplista". Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved 3 August 2018.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
- ^ "British single certifications – J Dylan/L James/H Skinner – Why Did It Have To Be Me". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved February 7, 2025.